Tuscan Women Cook provides delicious recipes inspired to bring a bit of Tuscany to any spring celebration. As the weather heats up, we think about food and travel.  Tuscan Women Cook, the week-long culinary immersion vacation, loves to celebrate spring Italian style.

This time of year Italy is full of surprises, including a stroll over vibrant carpets of colored blossoms during May and June at the Infiorata festivals held in various Italian towns. Tuscan Women Cook guests don’t just come to Tuscany to cook and eat. Many guests come for the wine. Tuscan Women Cook is located in the heart of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano country, and borders on the Chianti wine region so they know wine.

As you celebrate spring in all its glory try this Italian-inspired light and easy beverage.

Citrusy Spring Spritz

Serves 2

In Italy Limoncello is served as an after-meal digestive.  A “spritz” is a before meal cocktail, which is typically consumed with peanuts and potato chips in Italy. So, we combined the “before” and “after” to create this light, delicious cocktail that can be served either before or after your meal.  Cin Cin!

Ingredients

2 ounces limoncello (substitute: homemade sweetened lemonade)

8 ounces Prosecco

Sparkling water or lemon-lime soda

Lemon and/or another citrus, sliced

Fresh mint sprigs

Ice, crushed

Directions

Split the Prosecco and limoncello between two tall glasses. Add mint sprigs, ice, and sparkling water to the top. Garnish with citrus slices.

Tip: Muddle some of the mint with the limoncello for a stronger flavor.

Tip 2: In place of the limoncello, try your hand at making pompelmocello (grapefruit) or arancello rosso (blood orange) liqueur.

Serve this Spring Spritz with this quick and easy appetizer.

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates

Remove the pit form the date and stuff with an almond or a little blue cheese.  Wrap the date with a slice of prosciutto and lay on parchment paper or a silpat.

Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 20 minutes until the prosciutto becomes crispy.

Recipes may be reprinted with permission of www.TuscanWomenCook.com

Tuscan Women Cook, the week-long culinary immersion vacation program based in the medieval Tuscan village of Montefollonico. Each Spring and Fall, Coleen Kirnan and Rhonda Vilardo, owners and operators of Tuscan Women Cook, welcome guests from around the world to live, breathe and cook as Italians do. Each day participants cook up authentic Italian recipes taught by the local village “nonnas” or grandmothers who share regional techniques, ingredients, and family recipes that have been passed down over the centuries. 

After lunch Rhonda and Coleen provide daily sightseeing, visits to local artisans, cheese and wine tastings. Full day sight- seeing in Siena with a private guide who has a doctorate in Sienese history. Full translation is provided at all classes. Transportation to all activities is in a Mercedes minibus with private driver.

The locals of Montefollonico are dear friends of Coleen and Rhonda, and those relationships create an authentic immersion experience for Tuscan Women Cook guests. To view the entire Tuscan Women Cook culinary program, accommodations and to make reservations, visit www.TuscanWomenCook.com